Formula One is set to return to Africa for the first time in over three decades, but the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has criticized the decision to hold the race in Rwanda. DRC Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner stated on Thursday that hosting the African Grand Prix in Rwanda would "polish the image of an authoritarian leader." Rwandan President Paul Kagame, F1 Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali, and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem announced the race, which is scheduled for the early 2030s at a yet-to-be-built circuit in Bugesera, near Kigali. The last Formula One race in Africa occurred in 1993.
The DRC, along with the United States and UN experts, has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels in eastern DRC, while Rwanda claims its security measures are necessary to protect against threats from armed groups across the border. Kayikwamba Wagner expressed her concerns in a statement, saying, "In February 2025, I warned Stefano Domenicali and the F1 authorities that allowing Rwanda to host a Grand Prix would be morally indefensible." She emphasized that while the DRC welcomes Formula 1's return to Africa, providing a platform for Kagame would enhance the image of a leader whose government has contributed to conflict in the region.
Kayikwamba Wagner also mentioned that the DRC supports South Africa's bid to host a race instead, stating it would be an opportunity for Formula 1 to demonstrate its values. She called for credible, independent guarantees that no funds used for the race would come from conflict-linked minerals or the exploitation of Congolese resources. The DRC has previously opposed Rwandan initiatives to enhance its image through sports, including sponsorship deals with European football clubs. In March, the US imposed sanctions on Rwanda's military and four senior officers due to their support for M23 rebels, which Rwanda has rejected as one-sided and misrepresentative of the conflict.